298 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



some stream in pursuit of his favorite sport. 

 One evening in June he failed to return to camp, 

 but came in the next morning just as a party of 

 guides was making ready to search for him. A 

 night in the woods had improved neither the 

 old man's appearance nor his temper. He com- 

 plained bitterly of the insults hurled at him 

 from the treetops by some ill bred birds through 

 the long hours of the night, declaring that they 

 mocked him in his distress, even repeating his 

 name in derision. As he wandered about in his 

 efforts to locate the trail to camp he had talked 

 to himself in the anguish and fear under which 

 he labored, for being lost in the great forest at 

 night was to him a very serious matter. Then 

 came the teasing of these heartless birds, in 

 sheer mockery singing: 



"Poor Mr. — Chickering, — Chickering, — Chickering; 

 A-1-1 night — Chickering, — Chickering, — Chickering," 



repeated again and again, until his wrath 

 against these feathered jesters was at high 

 pitch. When told that this was the usual song 

 of the White-throated Sparrow, his anger was 

 somewhat appeased, but he never quite forgave 

 these sweet singers who made light of his dis- 

 tress. You will remember that the song of this 

 bird has been given several different interpre- 

 tations, the particular version depending upon 

 the choice of the interpreter. 



Woodpecker Wooing 



The male Woodpecker, not being endowed 

 with musical talent, resorts to other means for 



